Corset



(No Model.)

A. M. WILLIAMSON.

CORSET.

No. 371,401. Patented'Oot.. 1l, 1887.

Invel 021 N4 PEnIns Pmwumognpm. wmmgam n4 cA I each end 5 of the corset toward the middle or UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANNIE M. VILLIAMSON, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 371,401, dated October l1, 1887.

Application filed June 2, 1587. .Serial No. 240,045.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANNIE M. WILLLIM- soN, of the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new andA useful Improvement in Corsets, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which- Figure I is a perspective view of my improved corset. Fig. II is a similar view showing the corset open at the back and gore. Fig. III is an enlarged detail view showing one of the breasts open. Fig. IV is an enlarged detail View illustrating the lacing of one of the gores. Fig. V is a detail view of the band. Fig. VI is a transverse section through the band, showing the cork facing.

My invention relates to certain improvements in corsets; and it consists in features of novelty hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the body of the corset, provided with front stays, 2, having fastenings 3, as usual.

4 represents series of steels extending from front, and preferably extending over or about two-thirds of the surface of the corset, or, in other words, extending about two-thirds of the way around the corset, the portion not oecupied by them being in Ithe center or middle, as shown. rIhe steels of cach series decrease in length toward the front of the corset, as shown in-Fig. II, the object being to support or stiffen the corset as much as possible all the way around and yet allow it to shape itselfto the form of the wearer. The back of course,be ing straighter than the front when in use, can have longer steels than the front, and the steels systematically decrease in length from the back toward the front, as stated and as shown. These steels are designed to be used in addition to the ordinary steels or bones, 6.

For the purpose of strengthening or supporting the corset immediately at the waist, I secure metallic bands 7 thereto, which reach in each direction, preferably extending to the outer edges or ends of the corset, as shown. The inner ends of the bands or straps are preferabl y secured to the stays 2, and they are preferahly enlarged at their inner ends, as this (No model.)

point is where the greatest strength is needed to prevent the bones and steels of the corset from breaking or getting out of shape, owing to the wearer leaning or bending forward instead of sitting upright. These bands materially strengthen the bones and steels of the corset at the waist. Each may be made in one or more pieces, and,if made in sect-ions,may be jointed or hinged together, as shown in Fig. V. The band is secured to the corset by rivets 28,passing therethrough and th rough the steels 4, thus rigidly connecting the band and steels together. The band is preferably provided with a cork lining, 29, to protect it and to protect the fabric ofthe corset from being torn or worn by the band. The cork may be secured to the band by the rivets 2S or by other suitable means.

For the purpose of decreasing or increasing the size of the breasts of the corset, I form each with a tly, 8, connected to the body at its free edge by a strap and buckle, 9, button and holes 10, or by other suitable means. 'The breasts may thus be made adjustable in size.

rlhe gores 15 are made at the hip portions of the corset, and they are laced by cords 16 and 17, passing through holes 1S, and having, respectively, loops 19 on their outer ends, formed by bands 20, that divide them from the main parts of the cords. The cord 16 is separate from the cord 17, and to tighten the gores it is only necessary to pull on the cords, and then, by passing the loops 19 over buttons 21 on the corset, (see Figs. I and 11,) the cords will be held from loosening. 'The cords may be drawn tighter and the bands 2() engaged over the buttons 2l.

22 represents buttons above the gores, to which supports 23 may be secured.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to place a metallic band around the waist of a corset. Such a band is shown in the patent of L. T. Smith, dated January 22, 1878.

I claim as my invention- 1. rIhe combination, with a corset having the usual strengthening steels or bones, of the additional steels or bones, 4, extending in two vertical series of gradual]y-decreasing height from the back toward the front, substantially as described and shown.

2. The combination, with a corset having the usual strengthening steels or bones, of the 2 y l n 371,401

additional steels or bones, 4, and band 7, subthe band 7, having enlarged inner ends -se- V1o stantially as described. cured to the stays, substantially as described.4 3. The combination, with a corset having 5. The combination, with a corset having the usual strengthening steels or bones, of the buttons 21 and gores 15, of the cords 16 and band 7, the additional steels or bones, 4, and 17, having loops 18, substantially as described.

' ANNIE M. WILLAMSON. In presence of-' GEO. H. KNIGHT, EDW. S. KNIGHT.

cork lining 29, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a corset having the usual strengthening steels or bones and Stays, of the additional steels or bones,l 4, and 

